Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review held a meeting on August 19, 2020, at 4:00 PM via video teleconference. The meeting addressed 10 agenda items, all involving various residential construction and modification projects throughout the community.

During the session, the board took 10 votes on applications ranging from solar panel installations and parking lot construction to home additions and garage demolitions. Of the 10 projects reviewed, 8 were approved, 1 was denied, and 1 was tabled for further consideration. The approved projects included solar panel installation at 224 Lackawanna, parking lot construction at 421 and 425 South Mill Street, porch rebuilding at 303 Desha Road, garage demolition and outbuilding construction at 216 East Bell Court, additions at 203 Arcadia Park and 722 West Maxwell, porch rebuilding and addition at 260 Clay Avenue, and garage construction at 667 Elsmere Park.

The board denied the application for painting a brick structure at 221 Barberry Lane and tabled the driveway design revision project at 788 Caden Lane. One member of the public provided comments during the meeting. The meeting demonstrated the board's active review of residential architectural modifications and construction projects across various neighborhoods in the jurisdiction.

Attendance

The following members were present for the meeting on August 19, 2020:

Present: • Linda Gorton • Bettie Kerr • Amelia Armstrong • Jim Dickinson • Suzanne Irwin • Josh Gilpin • Susan Hill

All scheduled members were in attendance with no absences or late arrivals recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included ten Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) decisions, with nine approvals, one denial, and one postponement.

Approved Applications:

• 224 Lackawanna - Mr. Gilpin motioned to approve the COA for solar panel installation, subject to standard conditions. The motion passed by voice vote. 2:00

• 421 and 425 South Mill Street - Ms. Irwin seconded the motion to approve the COA for parking lot construction, subject to standard conditions. The motion passed by voice vote. 6:00

• 303 Desha Road - Mr. Gilpin seconded the motion to approve the COA for front porch rebuilding, subject to standard conditions. The motion passed by voice vote. 10:00

• 216 East Bell Court - The COA for garage demolition and outbuilding construction passed by voice vote with one abstention, subject to standard conditions and submission of final details. 14:00

• 203 Arcadia Park - Ms. Hill seconded the motion to approve the COA for demolition and addition construction, subject to standard conditions. The motion passed by voice vote. 18:00

• 722 West Maxwell - The COA for demolition and addition construction passed by voice vote, subject to standard conditions. 22:00

• 260 Clay Avenue - Ms. Hill motioned to approve the COA for porch rebuilding and addition construction. The motion passed by voice vote with one abstention, subject to standard conditions and submission of final details. 40:00

• 667 Elsmere Park - The COA for garage construction passed by voice vote, subject to standard conditions and reduction of garage size. 60:00

Other Actions:

• 788 Caden Lane - Mr. Gilpin motioned to continue the COA for driveway design revision to September 16 for revised design submission. The motion passed by voice vote. 30:00

• 221 Barberry Lane - Ms. Hill seconded the motion to deny the COA for painting a brick structure. The motion failed by voice vote. 50:00

Public Comment

During the public comment period, one resident addressed the board regarding a historic district matter.

Sarah Schoenberg 50:00 spoke as a resident of the historic district to voice her objections to the painting of the brick structure located at 221 Barberry Lane. Schoenberg expressed concerns about this proposed alteration to the property within the historic district boundaries.

The public comment period focused solely on this historic preservation issue, with no other residents or stakeholders choosing to address the board during this portion of the meeting.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that generated significant discussion and community opposition.

221 Barberry Lane - Paint Brick Structure

The primary contentious issue involved an application to paint a brick structure at 221 Barberry Lane. The proposal faced substantial community opposition, with concerns centered around historic preservation guidelines and the appropriateness of altering the building's original brick facade.

The disagreement appeared to stem from differing perspectives on whether painting the brick structure would comply with established historic preservation standards for the area. Community members who opposed the application likely raised concerns about maintaining the historic character and integrity of the neighborhood, while the applicant presumably sought approval for aesthetic or maintenance reasons.

The nature of the opposition suggests this item involved broader questions about balancing property owners' desires to modify their buildings against community standards for historic preservation. Such disputes typically involve considerations of architectural guidelines, neighborhood character preservation, and the precedent that approval might set for similar future applications.

The extracted data does not specify the final outcome of this contested item or provide details about the specific arguments presented by either supporters or opponents of the proposal. The resolution of this matter would have required the governing body to weigh the community concerns against the applicant's request while considering applicable historic preservation guidelines and local regulations.

224 Lackawanna - Install Solar Panels

2:00

The board reviewed an ordinance application for the installation of solar panels at 224 Lackawanna. Mr. Gilpin presented the item to the board for consideration.

Staff recommended approval of the solar panel installation with standard conditions. The application followed the typical review process for residential solar installations in the jurisdiction.

The board approved the ordinance allowing the solar panel installation at 224 Lackawanna to proceed under the recommended conditions.

421 and 425 South Mill Street - Construct Parking Lot

6:00

The board reviewed an application to construct a parking lot at 421 and 425 South Mill Street during agenda item 2. Ms. Irwin presented the proposal to the board for consideration.

Staff recommended approval of the parking lot construction project with standard conditions. The application underwent the standard review process for this type of development proposal.

The board approved the application for the parking lot construction at the South Mill Street location. No significant concerns or objections were raised during the discussion of this agenda item.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed with constructing the parking lot at 421 and 425 South Mill Street, subject to meeting the standard conditions typically applied to such projects.

303 Desha Road - Rebuild Front Porch

10:00

The board reviewed agenda item 3, an ordinance application for rebuilding the front porch at 303 Desha Road. Mr. Gilpin presented the application to the board for consideration.

Staff recommended approval of the porch reconstruction project with standard conditions. The application involved rebuilding the existing front porch structure at the residential property.

The board approved the application as presented, allowing the property owner to proceed with the front porch rebuild project subject to the standard conditions recommended by staff.

216 East Bell Court - Demolish Garage and Construct Outbuilding

14:00

The board considered agenda item 4, an ordinance regarding a property development application at 216 East Bell Court. The proposal involved demolishing an existing garage structure and constructing a new outbuilding in its place.

Staff presented their analysis of the application and recommended approval of the project, contingent upon certain conditions being met. The specific conditions attached to the staff recommendation were not detailed in the available meeting materials.

The board proceeded to review the application materials and staff recommendations. No specific speakers were identified during the discussion of this agenda item, and the available records do not indicate any significant debate or concerns raised by board members regarding the proposed demolition and construction project.

Following their review of the application and staff recommendations, the board voted to approve the ordinance. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with demolishing the existing garage and constructing the proposed outbuilding at 216 East Bell Court, subject to the conditions outlined in the staff recommendation.

The approval represents the board's determination that the proposed project meets applicable zoning requirements and development standards for the property location.

203 Arcadia Park - Demolish and Construct Addition

18:00

The board reviewed agenda item 5, an ordinance application for 203 Arcadia Park involving the demolition of an existing addition and construction of a new addition to the property.

Ms. Hill presented the application to the board for consideration. Staff had reviewed the proposed demolition and construction project and provided their recommendation for approval with standard conditions attached.

The board proceeded to vote on the application following the presentation and discussion. The application was approved, allowing the property owner to move forward with demolishing the current addition and constructing the new addition as proposed, subject to the standard conditions recommended by staff.

722 West Maxwell - Demolish and Construct Addition

22:00

The board reviewed Agenda Item 6, an ordinance application for 722 West Maxwell involving the demolition of an existing addition and construction of a new addition to the property.

Staff presented the application and provided their analysis of the proposed project. Following their review, staff recommended approval of the demolition and construction plans, subject to standard conditions typically applied to such projects.

The board proceeded to consider the staff recommendation for this property modification request. No specific speakers were identified during the discussion of this agenda item.

The board approved the application for 722 West Maxwell, allowing the property owner to proceed with demolishing the existing addition and constructing the new addition as proposed, contingent upon meeting the standard conditions outlined by staff.

788 Caden Lane - Revise Driveway Design

30:00

The board considered agenda item 7, an ordinance regarding a proposal to revise the driveway design at 788 Caden Lane. Mr. Gilpin served as the key speaker for this item.

The discussion centered on modifications to the existing driveway design for the property located at 788 Caden Lane. While specific details of the proposed revisions were not extensively documented in the available materials, the item was presented as an ordinance requiring board consideration and potential approval.

Following the presentation and discussion, the board determined that additional information was needed before making a final decision on the driveway design revisions. Rather than proceeding with a vote on the current proposal, the board chose to table the matter.

The decision to postpone was made to allow the applicant an opportunity to submit a revised design that would address any concerns or requirements identified during the board's review. This approach enables the applicant to refine their proposal and potentially resolve any outstanding issues before the item returns for further consideration.

The item remains pending, with the expectation that a revised driveway design submission will be presented to the board at a future meeting for final review and decision.

260 Clay Avenue - Rebuild Porch and Construct Addition

40:00

The board reviewed agenda item 8, an ordinance application for 260 Clay Avenue to rebuild the porch and construct an addition to the existing property.

Ms. Hill presented the application to the board during the discussion. Staff had conducted their review of the proposed project and recommended approval of the application, contingent upon certain conditions being met by the applicant.

The board proceeded to vote on the ordinance following the presentation and discussion. The application for 260 Clay Avenue to rebuild the porch and construct an addition was approved by the board.

The specific conditions attached to the staff recommendation and the details of the proposed construction work were not elaborated upon in the available meeting materials, though the approval indicates the project met the necessary requirements for moving forward with the planned improvements to the property.

221 Barberry Lane - Paint Brick Structure

50:00

The board reviewed agenda item 9, an application to paint the brick structure located at 221 Barberry Lane. This ordinance-related matter involved a property owner's request to alter the exterior appearance of their brick building through painting.

Staff presented their analysis of the application and recommended denial of the request. The recommendation was based on established guidelines that prohibit painting previously unpainted brick structures. These guidelines are designed to preserve the original character and materials of historic or architecturally significant buildings.

Key speakers during the discussion included Ms. White and Mr. Stumbo, who participated in the board's deliberation of the application. The speakers addressed the merits of the request and the applicable standards that govern such modifications to brick structures.

The board ultimately voted to deny the application, following the staff's recommendation. This decision upheld the existing guidelines that protect unpainted brick from being altered through painting, maintaining the original architectural integrity of the structure at 221 Barberry Lane.

667 Elsmere Park - Construct Garage

60:00

The board reviewed agenda item 10, an ordinance application to construct a garage at 667 Elsmere Park.

Mr. Mitchell presented the item to the board during the discussion. Staff had reviewed the application and provided a recommendation for approval, though with specific conditions attached to the proposal. The primary condition recommended by staff was to reduce the size of the proposed garage from what was originally submitted in the application.

The board considered the staff recommendation and the proposed modifications to the garage construction plans. The size reduction condition was intended to ensure the project would comply with applicable zoning requirements and maintain compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood character.

Following their review of the application materials and staff analysis, the board voted to approve the garage construction project at 667 Elsmere Park. The approval included the staff-recommended conditions, particularly the requirement to reduce the garage size as specified in the staff report.

The approved ordinance will allow the property owner to proceed with constructing the garage at the Elsmere Park address, subject to meeting the conditions established by the board's approval and any additional permitting requirements.